Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called for a stronger India-ASEAN security partnership built on mutual trust, respect for sovereignty and adherence to international law. He also urged closer collaboration on the joint development of military technologies, signalling New Delhi’s intent to deepen strategic engagement with Southeast Asia amid evolving conventional and emerging threats.
Angel One Group CEO Ambarish Kenghe said artificial intelligence is likely to expand, not shrink, demand for knowledge work, arguing that the technology will create new categories of employment even as it reshapes existing roles. He said the shift will require individuals to continuously transform their skills and adapt to a faster-moving workplace.
RBL Bank posted a sharp rise in September-quarter net profit, supported by strong loan growth, higher deposits and a 37% jump in net interest income to Rs 2,131 crore. Chief Executive R. Subramaniakumar said margins are likely to moderate next quarter as FCNR(B) deposits fully work through the balance sheet, even as the bank continues to scale advances and deposits at a brisk pace.
Across Chennai, a growing circle of amateur singers is gathering regularly for informal singalongs powered by a shared affection for Tamil music and memory. Bound together by Paadarivom Padipparivom and coordinated through an app, the movement reflects how digital tools are helping revive local cultural participation in a city long defined by its musical heritage.
Canara Bank reported an 8.4% year-on-year rise in second-quarter net profit to Rs 5,175 crore, helped by robust growth in net interest income and easing provisions. The state-run lender also posted faster loan growth than deposit growth, underscoring both business momentum and a funding challenge that will be closely watched in coming quarters.
Vellore Institute of Technology will install 65 LED streetlights along the Sathuvachari-VIT High Road in Vellore town, responding to mounting safety concerns over the newly opened stretch. The move follows a recent report highlighting the risks faced by hundreds of motorists and pedestrians navigating the road in darkness, with residents and commuters pressing for urgent lighting and traffic safety measures.
The Madras High Court has ordered the exhumation of a body for DNA profiling after a grieving couple sought judicial confirmation that the remains were those of their son. Justice V. Lakshminarayanan’s ruling underscores the court’s willingness to use forensic evidence to resolve the most intimate and consequential disputes over identity, death and closure.
Indian companies are increasingly turning to banks for funding as borrowing costs in the bond market rise, according to Jefferies. The shift is being supported by stronger corporate loan demand from NBFCs, wholesale trade, commercial real estate, power and chemicals, signalling a broader revival in bank credit appetite.
At dawn in New Delhi, a widening band of protesters framed their agitation not as a routine political demonstration but as a moral and constitutional struggle over who controls the lives of ordinary citizens. Drawing on Mahatma Gandhi’s ethic of conscience and B.R. Ambedkar’s constitutional vision, the movement is casting the Constitution as a shared public good that must be defended against centralisation, coercion and the erosion of democratic agency.
Karnataka has launched multiple programmes to build a workforce aligned with emerging technologies, according to state Minister for Home, IT, BT and E-Governance Priyank Kharge. Speaking at TechSparks 2026, he framed talent development as the foundation for the state’s next phase of technology-led growth. The remarks underscore Karnataka’s effort to defend its lead in India’s startup economy as competition intensifies among states.
RBL Bank posted a sharp rise in September-quarter profit, supported by strong loan growth, higher net interest income and robust deposit mobilisation. Chief Executive R. Subramaniakumar said margins are likely to moderate next quarter as FCNR(B) deposits fully flow through the balance sheet, even as the bank continues to benefit from strong business momentum.
The government will retain a 15% equity stake in IDBI Bank while Life Insurance Corporation will hold 19%, marking a significant step in the bank’s long-running ownership transition. Both shareholders will withdraw their nominees from the board and function as public shareholders, while the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has empowered the Alternative Mechanism to approve minority stake sales.
India’s cold chain challenge is no longer only about adding more warehouses and refrigerated trucks. The deeper policy need is to build a distributed, accessible network that reaches farms, mandis, small processors and tier-2 and tier-3 markets, reducing post-harvest losses and improving price realisation for producers. A decentralised model could also ease inflationary pressure by lowering spoilage in perishables and strengthening supply resilience.
Tyeb Mehta’s 2002 acrylic on canvas, 'Rickshaw Puller,' has sold for ₹69.1 crore, underscoring the enduring market power of one of India’s most consequential modernists. The result places renewed attention on Mehta’s late-career imagery, especially the rickshaw puller motif he revisited as a stark emblem of labour, strain and urban life.
Kotak Mahindra Bank has appointed Anup Kumar Saha as its next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, with his term set to begin on January 1, 2027, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals. The move places a long-serving insider with more than 32 years of banking and financial services experience at the helm of one of India’s most closely watched private lenders.
Tamil Nadu captain R. Sai Kishore said his side paid the price for a lack of application from the lower order after a disappointing Ranji Trophy outing. His assessment pointed to a familiar red-ball problem: once the top order failed to convert starts, the tail could not extend the innings or shift momentum back in the team’s favour.
The Union government has set up a committee to study the difficulties faced by sugarcane farmers, following sustained pressure from farmer representatives from Karnataka and Maharashtra for higher remunerative returns. The move signals a fresh policy review at a politically sensitive moment for the sugar sector, where cane pricing, arrears and mill viability remain tightly linked.
A fresh round of attention has fallen on Victory Flair, Exuma and Shamara as India’s cricket ecosystem continues to scan for the next wave of standout performers. The names have begun to circulate among observers because of their promise, timing and the broader demand for impact players in a crowded talent pipeline.
Indian stockbrokers added roughly 1.6 lakh active clients on the NSE in September, lifting the industry’s combined active base to 4.61 crore even as competition at the top intensified. Groww strengthened its lead, while Angel One continued to close in on Zerodha, underscoring a market where digital acquisition, retention and trading engagement remain the key battlegrounds.
Asset reconstruction companies have asked the government to strengthen the debt recovery framework by speeding up proceedings before Debt Recovery Tribunals and tightening compliance around interim relief. Their proposals include allowing interim stays to lapse automatically after two months, improving notice to creditors, and filling tribunal vacancies without delay. The industry says these steps are essential to make the Sarfaesi Act more effective as a recovery tool for lenders.
Speciality chemical manufacturing startup Scimplify has raised $25 million, or about ₹238 crore, in a fresh funding round led by Hitachi Ventures as it accelerates its push into semiconductor chemicals. The capital is expected to support capacity expansion, product development and deeper engagement with advanced manufacturing customers in India and overseas.
‘Reporting Live’ arrives with clear purpose, sharp observations and sincere performances, but the film never fully commits to the force of its own ideas. What begins as a promising, socially aware drama gradually settles into a safe, muted watch that values restraint over impact.
Private sector banks continued to pull ahead of state-run lenders in deposit mobilisation during the second quarter, underscoring their stronger franchise momentum and sharper liability management. On the lending side, both bank groups posted healthy year-on-year advances growth, but private banks again showed a wider growth band, signalling more aggressive balance-sheet expansion.
‘Beware Boiúna’ leans into old-school monster-movie pleasures, pairing a giant, grinning snake with brisk pacing and enough jolts to keep genre fans engaged. Its biggest limitation is visual geography: the lack of panoramic shots blunts the sense of scale and weakens the dread that a creature feature of this kind depends on.
Bengaluru-based startup Aaahara is building an export-led business around botanical foods, using cryogenic technology to process spices and preserve product quality at scale. The company is already shipping to New Zealand and the Netherlands, while preparing to enter the United States and Australia as demand for traceable, premium food ingredients expands.
Crystal Crop Protection is set to launch a new early-harvest sweet corn seed variety next month, adding to its push into higher-value horticulture inputs. The company also plans to introduce new seeds for seedless cucumber, cabbage, tomato and fresh chilli by the end of 2027, signalling a broader product expansion aimed at India’s evolving farm demand.
India’s markets regulator has confirmed interim restrictions on Rajesh Exports and promoter Rajesh Mehta, saying concerns over financial disclosures, possible misrepresentation and fund routing through personal accounts remain unresolved. Sebi said gaps in consolidated revenue reporting and missing supporting records continue to cloud the company’s disclosures, while directing it to maintain accurate financial and related-party reporting.
Indian banks reported a second quarter in which loan growth outpaced deposit accumulation across much of the sector, underscoring a persistent funding imbalance in the financial system. Canara Bank and Indian Bank were among the lenders posting notably stronger credit expansion than deposit growth, while South Indian Bank stood out as an exception to the broader trend.
Action director Chethan D’ Souza says working on 'Jailer 2' has reinforced why Rajinikanth remains one of Indian cinema’s most singular screen performers: he combines effortless style with a grounded, collaborative presence off camera. He also points to director Nelson’s stripped-down approach to staging action, saying the simplicity of the setups makes the set pieces more effective and allows the star’s instinct to register with greater force.
Desert Diamond and Lumineer emerged as the headline performers in a closely watched sporting showcase, drawing attention for the quality, composure, and competitive edge they brought to the contest. Their showings added fresh momentum to a rapidly evolving India sports narrative, where consistency and execution increasingly separate contenders from the rest.
OnMeta has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan’s state-backed postal operator QazPost to explore digital financial solutions, marking a strategic step in the company’s international expansion. The collaboration is designed to combine OnMeta’s digital infrastructure with QazPost’s broad distribution network, potentially widening access to modern financial services across Kazakhstan.
A complaint has been filed over the suspected smuggling of counterfeit cigarettes through Kempegowda International Airport, raising fresh concerns about cargo screening and customs enforcement at one of India’s busiest aviation hubs. The allegation points to a possible breach in airport security and trade compliance systems, with authorities expected to examine how the consignment entered the supply chain.
In Bali, the Kecak performance tradition is giving the Ramayana a strikingly contemporary resonance by turning dozens of human voices into a living orchestra. Led by veteran Balinese scholar and choreographer I Wayan Dibia, the form blends chant, movement, and ritual discipline into a theatrical language that is both devotional and dramatically modern.
Investment-tech platform Groww reported a sharp rise in second-quarter earnings, with consolidated net profit climbing 54% year on year to ₹724.7 crore from ₹471.3 crore. Revenue increased 47% over the same period, underscoring continued momentum in India’s retail investing and digital brokerage market despite a more competitive fintech landscape.
An Air India flight bound for Delhi was diverted to Jaipur after the cockpit transponder reportedly transmitted squawk code 7500, the international signal associated with unlawful interference, including hijacking. Airline sources, however, said the pilots did not deliberately enter the hijack code, suggesting a possible technical or procedural anomaly that is now under review.
India has rejected China’s assertion that Ladakh was created “unilaterally and illegally,” reiterating that the Union Territory is an integral part of the country. The exchange underscores the continuing diplomatic friction between New Delhi and Beijing over sovereignty, even as both sides manage a broader and fragile relationship shaped by border tensions and strategic competition.
The Union Cabinet has approved a productivity-linked bonus of ₹2,010 crore for more than 11 lakh railway employees, extending a yearly fiscal incentive that typically arrives before the Durga Puja and Dussehra holidays. The payment is intended to reward performance, reinforce workforce morale, and support one of the country’s largest public-sector employers during the peak festive period.
Aegis Logistics Ltd. has announced plans to acquire an 89.8% stake in Dubai-based Tristar for about ₹7,700 crore, marking a major overseas expansion for the Indian logistics company. The transaction will be executed through Aegis Logistics International Pte Ltd, its wholly owned step-down subsidiary, underscoring the company’s intent to build a larger international platform in energy and logistics services.
HDFC Bank has proposed an annual compensation package of up to Rs 35.90 crore for incoming chief executive Anup Bagchi, a figure that could rise to Rs 43.24 crore if performance-linked stock awards are included. The package, subject to shareholder approval, would place Bagchi among the highest-paid bank chiefs in India and underscores the lender’s intent to back his mandate with a strong incentive structure.
Andhra Pradesh’s commercial tax collections climbed 18% year-on-year to Rs 30,435.98 crore in April-September 2026, underscoring firmer compliance and stronger economic activity across the state. Net GST collections also rose 18% to Rs 19,635.49 crore in the first half of FY 2026-27, with September delivering the highest monthly collection so far and a 14.10% increase in net GST.
Greta Gerwig’s first trailer for her adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ 'The Magician’s Nephew' signals a bold return to the beginnings of Narnia, pairing mythic imagery with a contemporary cinematic sensibility. The preview also draws attention for its casting of Daniel Craig and Emma Mackey, and for its use of Led Zeppelin’s 'Stairway to Heaven,' a choice likely to sharpen debate over how far the filmmaker is willing to push a beloved fantasy canon.
Petitions filed in the Supreme Court have accused Delhi police of excessive force during protests linked to the CEC, with detainees seeking an independent inquiry into the arrests and subsequent handling of their belongings. The petitioners have also asked for preservation of CCTV footage and the return of phones and other personal items, framing the case as one of accountability and procedural fairness.
India’s Supreme Court has mandated that insurance coverage must be extended to passengers buying railway tickets offline, ending a distinction that had so far benefited only online purchasers. The order, effective October 27, is expected to widen access to low-cost travel protection across the rail network and bring the offline booking system into line with digital ticketing practices.
Johnson & Johnson shares fell as much as 6.8% after the healthcare giant reported a sharp drop in quarterly profit, even as it lifted its full-year earnings outlook. Investors focused on weaker-than-expected MedTech performance and litigation-related charges, which overshadowed revenue growth and an adjusted earnings beat. The reaction underscores how sensitive the stock remains to margin pressure and legal overhangs despite the company’s defensive profile.
Paramount Syntex’s Rs 82-crore initial public offering continued to attract steady demand on the second day of bidding on the BSE SME platform, with the issue subscribed 1.35 times overall. The strongest interest came from qualified institutional buyers, whose portion was booked 119.29 times, while retail and non-institutional investor demand remained subdued.
CreditAccess Grameen is in advanced discussions to raise $175 million from a group of international lenders, including DBS and Standard Chartered, as it looks to bolster its liability profile and secure funding flexibility. The borrowing is expected to form a meaningful part of the company’s annual funding plan through external commercial borrowings, even as hedging costs rise but remain manageable.
Knights and Marathas continued to underline their consistency in the latest phase of India’s domestic cricket action, reinforcing the value of disciplined execution over flash. Their sustained run of results has sharpened the competitive landscape and added fresh pressure on rivals seeking momentum in a tightly contested season.
Mhatre has been ruled out for six weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury while batting on the opening day against Chandigarh in the Ranji Trophy. The setback is a significant interruption for both the player and his side, coming at a stage when domestic form and availability are critical to selection momentum.
Defence technology startup Tonbo Imaging has raised ₹255 crore from anchor investors ahead of the opening of its initial public offering on October 15, signalling early institutional interest in one of India’s more closely watched deep-tech listings. The anchor placement comes as the company prepares to test public-market appetite for a business built around advanced imaging, sensing and battlefield awareness systems.
Johnson & Johnson shares fell as much as 6.8% after the healthcare giant reported a sharp drop in quarterly profit, weaker-than-expected MedTech performance and litigation-related charges that overshadowed an otherwise improved full-year earnings outlook. Revenue growth and adjusted earnings beat Wall Street estimates, but investors focused on the quality of the beat and the pressure points beneath the headline numbers.
